Portfolio 2018 - 2023
Jiahao Li
Jiahao Li B.Arch at Pratt Institute Architectural Designer / Street Photographer / Dancer / Guitar Player / Cyclist
WORK EXPERIENCE
HONORS
ZBCN Design Office
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Designer Shanghai, China⎜2021 - 2022⎜15 months An office with 2 people. Projects includes architectural, interior, industrial, brand and graphic design.
Top Degree Project Honor Review Archive at Pratt SoA publication × 9 Dean’s list × 8 Representation 1 Finalist International Merit Scholarship Event coordinator of Pratt Chinese Architecture Alliance (PCAA)
MAD Architects
Architectural Intern Beijing, China⎜2021⎜4 months · Shanghai Wuning Road #20 renovation · Nanjing Lukou Airport Terminal 3 Competition
Kengo Kuma & Associates
Architectural Intern Shanghai, China⎜2020 - 2021⎜4 months · Yixing Tao Museum · Shanghai Zhangyuan Protective Comprehensive Development
Trace Architectural Office Architectural Intern Beijing, China⎜2020⎜4 months
COMPETITIONS • • •
Honorable Mention | UIA-HYP cup competition in architectural design Shortlist | Skyhive 2021 SAAMA Architecture Exhibition pg.88-89
SKILLS Digital Rendering Graphics Office Film Language
Rhino+Grasshopper, Sketch Up, Auto CAD, Revit Enscape, Lumion, Vray, Keyshot Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign Microsoft Office iMovie Chinese (native), English (proficient)
· Haikou Huandao High School
James Bros. Architectural Design Designer Beijing, China⎜2018, 2019, 2020⎜10 months
· 87 , 35 , 120 , 116 , 140 m² residential interior project
EDUCATION Pratt Institute⎜School of Architecture B.Arch 2023 Brooklyn, New York⎜2017-2023 Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, NY +1 347-318-7818 jlix24@pratt.edu
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Beijing Jiaotong University⎜School of Law B.Law (Transferred) Beijing, China⎜2016-2017 Zhengzhou Foreign Language School Zhengzhou, China⎜2010-2016
REFERENCE Karen Bausman | AIA, FAAR Adjunct Associate Professor - CCE, Pratt Institute Jason Lee Associate professsor, Pratt Institute Bao Mengxian Design Director, KKAA Other critics: • Lapshan Fong • Michele Gorman • Eric Wong • Leonard Leung • Dagmar Richter • Eunjeong Seong • Robert Lee Brackett III
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CONTENTS Academic
As a designer, my philosophy centers around creating solutions that are both functional and empathetic to the needs of the users. I believe that design is not about showcasing heroism, but rather about creating meaningful experiences for a true group of people. My design approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of design, as well as a commitment to staying up-to-date with emerging trends and technologies. I believe that design is not just about aesthetics, but also about understanding the context and purpose of the project to create solutions that are both beautiful and effective. Throughout my education and career, I have worked on a variety of design projects, including architecture, interior, branding, web, and product design. My experience in both the Chinese and American design communities has given me a unique perspective on how to design for different cultures and languages. I am excited to bring this global perspective and empathetic approach to any design challenge.
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Cultural
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Educational
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Residential
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Cultural
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Urban Renewal
Violence in Vision Forging the Memorial Prototypical Autonomus School Focus by Deviation Micro-Housing Tower Pop-culture Incubator Museum of Calligraphy Narrative of Time and Balance Urban Acupunture Renascence of Hutong
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24 _ 35
36 _ 45
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Professional
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Interior
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Cultural
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Educational
Micro Island in Beijing Interior Renovation Yixing Tao Museum KKAA Haikou Experimental School TAO
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Academic 1: Cultural
Violence in Vision Forging the Memorial The thesis is about the memorial of violence, consist of 8 theatres celebrating the French Revolution, and also initiate a second revolution, to the systematic exclusiveness of the urban fabric. The violence is invisible but it is part of the history and a lot of architecture is the machine of violence. By forging the plaza that was gazing and the invisible violence, we invert the role of architecture that hiding the bloody complexity and makes it visible. Our ambition is to make the memorial reflective. No one can be indifferent.
Critic: Collaborator:
Shihua Chang
Semester:
5th year, 2023
Site:
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Karen Bausman / Lapshan Fong
Place de Concorde, Paris
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There is an ongoing strike and demonstration over pension reforms and thousands of people are gathering in Place de la Concorde. The voice of the people should be relocated from this traffic center to our memorial site, that is spacious enough and also symbolic enough to serve the people. The existing of architecture is to remind the world: no one can be indifferent.
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Urban Scale Site Model
Design Strategy We discern that the boulevards of Paris by Haussmann is a collective trauma of Paris citizens. The boulevards are for surveillance and control and execute an eternal, and “preserved” cut to the city. The rejoining of social strata is not necessarily a curation, but also an exhibition of violence.
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Plaza without visible violence
Guillotine Execution de la Revolution
Storming of the Bastille
Bastille Prison Plan
The center of Paris, place de la Concorde, had gone on twice reformation. Once for the king, and second time for French Revolution. But neither of them is truly revolutionary, nor truly for the people.
Theaters and the Prisoners The project relocates the center by mirroring (forging) the original site. The guillotine decomposed from the major event, the execution of Louis XVI, is the machine for violence. The crowd is gazing at the event, and the machine is gazing at the people back. The act of gazing is in itself violence, and theater is the program of gazing, therefore the program of violence.
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We often remember the greatness of big events and heroes while neglecting the lives of everyday individuals, which is a form of violence towards these people. To bring attention to the violence they faced, our plays and theaters are inspired by the stories of the seven prisoners.
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Pathway
Theater Torturing Sponge
Landscape
“Boulevards”
Analysis of the form
Experimental collage as spatial expression The spatial quality is investigated through the materiality of sponge. We fade out the constructional material and texture, to fully embrace the spatial quality that exhibit violence.
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Sectional Model blocks
Views in Crevices We discern that the boulevards of Paris, designed by Haussmann, is a collective trauma of Paris citizens. The boulevards are for surveillance and control and execute an eternal, and “preserved” cut to the city. The rejoining of social strata is not necessarily a curation, but also an exhibition of violence.
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Looking from the Entrance
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Sectional Relationship of Landscape
Longitudinal Section
Transverse Section The four major theaters correspond with the four figures. Theater A allows collective gathering and acts as a major entrance to the whole site. Theater B contains two grand theaters that each has a rake, a metaphor for changing perspectives, that is resolved from a brutal cut to the massing. Theater C has four linear stages, that can be viewed from both sides. Theater D is much more vertical, that allows fly-wiring.
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Academic 2: Educational
Prototypical Autonomus School Focus by Deviation Recent experiments in bringing automation to elementary school education have focused on software with little focus on architecture or the design of the classroom or building itself. This project will invert that equation by exploring what will become of schools as education is increasingly automated, self-guided and if it occurs in smaller groups or settings. This project is designed for environments where learning is achieved without the same type or number of on-site teachers and increasingly in realms of software and media shared between just a few students. In general, the project is to answer: can the physics of buildings serve as analogical lessons for schools?
Critic: Semester:
Eunjeong Seong 5th year, 2022 Siteless Deployeable Architecture
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First iteration of testing materialization of tangential view and move.
This project has undergone several iterations of physical models, with each iteration building upon the previous one. The first iteration te s te d t h e m ate r i a l i z at i o n o f tangential view and movement, while the second iteration merged two wings into one with a plane. Throughout the design process, I studied the relationship between t h e two p a r t s a n d s i m p l i f i e d
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it into two intersecting planes with openings. The movement is reinforced by the curvature of the design. This approach highlights the counterintuitive nature of the project's central idea, which is to use the Periphery and Center diagram to help students focus by allowing mind-wandering during studying.
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Different modes of occupying the school.
Community Lecture
Class Time
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Ground Floor Plan
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6' 84 Galvanized metal
3'
5 modules Curved panel
6' 3 ply CLT
A
B
C
D
E
7.5'
F CLT Module dimention
CLT Detail Joints
8.5'
6' 3'
21' 7.5'
5 modules A
B
C
Curved panel
8.5' 5 ply CLT
Explosion Diagram
D
E
F
Transverse Perspective Section To further enhance the project's visual and spatial impact, two distinct materials are utilized. The first material, galvanized metal, is used to quickly assemble the outer layer around the inner plane. The sharp edges and visible joints create a dynamic reflection and emphasize the thinness of the structure. Despite its delicate appearance, the use of galvanized metal
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creates a misreading of thickness, adding to the project's intrigue. From the center of the space, a 3-dimensional spin is visible, as the periphery begins to intersect with the center. This seamless integration of space provides opportunities for multiple uses and engages users in a more dynamic way.
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Academic 3: Residential
Micro-Housing Tower Pop Culture Incubator As Brooklyn continues to attract a diverse array of creative talents from across the globe, the demand for compact and affordable housing options has never been higher. Micro-housing, a solution born out of the twin forces of population growth and consumerism, has emerged as a viable option for young professionals seeking a new way of living. Inspired by the intricate inner workings of a mechanical watch, this microhousing project goes beyond just its physical components. Like the finely-tuned gears and springs of a timepiece, the key to its success lies in the invisible forces that bring people together and foster a vibrant community.
Critic: Collaborator: Semester: Site:
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Leonard Leung Yi-An(Annie) Zhou 3rd year, 2019 Vinegar Hill, Brooklyn
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implies: circulation, gestures, orientation.
denotes spatial division
impact: overall spatial organization, circulation, experience.
Furniture limit dimensions, define preference for activities.
Rooms
Clusters stimulate activities, define the identity, create ambience.
influence connectivity of the rooms, form public spaces
implies the placement of the building based on the character and the human scale view from the room
1':1/4" Physical Unit Model
provide: design context, zonning restrictions, building accessibility
Building
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Ground Floor Plan
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Generic Floor Plan
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Public Space Diagram
The public spaces are thoughtfully placed around the corners of different floors, offering residents access to various creative spaces such as sculpture studios, fashion studios, test kitchens, sound labs, and dancing studios. The facade ribbon, which gracefully grows into the middle shared space, serves to define these
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public areas, while avoiding any disruption to the residents' private activities. This clever design allows for a balance between social interaction and personal space, creating a harmonious living environment for the building's creative and dynamic residents.
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Gympsum Glass Studwall Rigid Insulation Waterproof GFRC Belt Schock Isokorbiso Wood Floor Insulation Concrete Belt Wood Ceiling Wood Floor Waterproofing Membrane PVC Raised Floor Pedestal Tempered Glass Aluminum Profile Wood Panel Steel Frame Etem Vario
Wall Section
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Academic 4: Cultural
Narrative of Balance: Museum of Calligraphy Traditionally, museums have often focused on displaying art in a neutral space that prioritizes the physical object over its context. However, my architecture project challenges this convention by designing a museum space that centers around a single piece of art: Chinese calligraphy. By creating a space that is specifically tailored to showcase this particular work, I aim to create a more meaningful connection between the art and its viewers. The Met Cloisters provides a unique opportunity for cross-cultural communication between Western art and Chinese art, and the design of the museum incorporates elements of both traditions to create a space that is harmonious and evocative. Through this project, I hope to inspire a new approach to museum design that puts context and communication at the forefront.
Critic: Semester: Site:
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Eric Wong 2nd year, 2018 The Met Cloisters, Manhattan
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Drawing inspiration from the timeless art form of the scroll, I have crafted an architectural design that speaks to the rich history and philosophy of Chinese calligraphy. With the art piece resting gracefully atop an endless expanse of wall, the triangular form of the space harmonizes with the wall to evoke the act of unfurling the scroll. Light pours into the space, accentuating the masterpiece and drawing the
viewer's gaze to the distant vanishing point of the wall. Through this design, I aim to embody the essence of the Doctrine of the Mean, a central tenet of Chinese philosophy that emphasizes harmony and balance. In this way, the architecture serves as a silent storyteller, a powerful force that supports the evidence of the art's long history and enhances the visitors' understanding of the cultural significance of Chinese calligraphy.
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Generic Display
Art-inspired Display
Site Plan The museum provides a platform to showcase the connections and exchanges between these two cultures, highlighting the ways in which they have influenced and enriched each other's artistic practices. By examining the intersection of Western and Chinese art through the lens of calligraphy, visitors to the museum can gain a deeper appreciation for the art form and its enduring cultural significance.
1'=1/8" Physical Model
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Transverse Section
Concept Diagram the slope controling views from seeing nothing to fully revealing the art piece is an architectural analogue of opening scroll
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Floor Plan
1':1/8" Sectional Physical Model
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1':1/2" Structural Model
Wood Facade
Main structure
Lobby
Wall holding Lanting Script
Circulation
Auditorium
The museum's layout is characterized by a thoughtful and elegant system of spaces that guide visitors on a journey of discovery through the world of Chinese calligraphy. The exhibition is flanked by an inviting entrance plaza that leads visitors to the lobby. From there, a carefully designed in-between space beckons, inviting visitors to explore the museum's many treasures, including an auditorium for lectures and
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performances. The building's main structure is composed of wood trusses and a long, sturdy concrete wall, which work in harmony to give the space a sense of simplicity and historicity. This combination of materials reflects the artistry and cultural significance of the Chinese calligraphy on display, and serves as a fitting tribute to the enduring legacy of this art form.
Temporary Exhibition Entrance Explosion Diagram
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Academic 5: Urban Renewal
Urban Acupuncture Renascence of Hutong The call on architects to imagine spaces in which we can generously live together in a time of permanent crisis inspires me to re-look at the Chinese traditional urban structure—Hutong, which is under threat by demolition, fast development, and loss of living culture. My design is attempting to threat a network of public spaces into the increasingly privatized and unaccessible inner courtyards into a historic neighborhood in Beijing that has been failing. Because of its complex and super-dense existing structure, inhabitants have been cramped, throughout the last decades, into narrow spaces that do not allow light and air into the domestic spaces. As the structures are beginning to fail and are unsafe, which limits the interactions within the community, I am attempting to open up the historic neighborhood to the public and to each other. The spirit of the historic Hutong, namely walking freely, exchanging news with your neighbors and exchanging gossip , goods and support is has been lost.
Critic: Semester: Site:
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Dagmar Ritcher 4th year, 2021 Xicheng District, Beijing
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Principle of Ancient Beijing planning
1949 40m2/ person
2019 7.4m2/ person
Acupuncture Map and hutong
Siheyuan is a traditional Chinese housing typology that consists of a square courtyard surrounded by buildings on all four sides. Over time, due to rapid urbanization and population growth, the density of Siheyuan has increased, and the living conditions have deteriorated.
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Additionally, ownership of these houses has become fragmented, leading to a lack of maintenance and preservation. My goal is to explore new strategies to address these challenges and to create a sustainable and livable future for Siheyuan communities.
"Hutong" are alleys formed by lines of siheyuan, traditional courtyard residences. Its name origins from a meaning of Jaywalking. The natural gene of connectivity of Hutong is like acupuncture that dredges the urban fabric in key points.
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Programatic Connection
Wooden structure
Historic Building
Threshold to Historic
Circulation Connection
Need Reinforcement Dilapidated house
Self-construction Legal construction
Renovated Points Selection
Final Sites selection
Continuous Public Spaces
Ambiguous Subordination
The overall strategy is to open street facade and create new hutong to public while at the same time add 30% -50% area to the mix-use buildings.
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This urban renewal project aims to improve the living conditions of the Hutong area in Beijing by strategically creating more interfaces throughout the densely populated neighborhood. By carefully choosing the sites to renovate, similar to acupuncture, we can enhance the livability of the area and increase the overall connectivity of the community. The siheyuan, or traditional Chinese housing structures, vary in conditions throughout the area, some being in need of significant repair while others are self-
constructed by the residents. As a result, our treatment approach varies depending on the condition of each site, with some requiring more extensive renovation than others. By creating new connections between these renovated sites, we can revitalize the Hutong area and create new, interconnected spaces for residents to enjoy. The name of the project, which is derived from the Chinese language, further emphasizes our goal to create a sense of unity and connectedness within the Hutong community.
Major Insertion Renovated Self-construction Historic Heritage Building Buildings on Site
Urban Strategy Plan
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Zoom-in Axon
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Opening the street interface
Under the eave of additional space
Looking at the liveliness on roof
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Bird View
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Professional 1
Micro Island in Beijing
Proch
Living Room
In the context of urbanization and development in China, this project serves as a lens towards the changing living conditions i n B e i j i n g . Wi t h t h e r a p i d development of the city and the increasing population, the demand for affordable and livable housing has become increasingly urgent. T h e re n ova t i o n o f t h i s s m a l l living space is a microcosm of the challenges faced by many urban residents in Beijing. The design team approached the project with a focus on maximizing the limited space while maintaining a sense of openness and comfort. Through a combination of spacesaving techniques and clever use of materials and lighting, they were able to create a cozy and functional living space that meets the needs of the resident.
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Plan
Looking across the room from the Balcony
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I n o rd e r to c re ate a n e f f e c t ive , e f f i c i e nt a n d aesthetically pleasing storage solution, the cabinets on the west side of the space have been given prominence. To achieve a clear, elegant facade, a standard module size was used as the basis for the design language, ensuring consistency in the use of materials and shapes
Bed Block
throughout the space. The design of every element on the facade, including the fins, solid and void spaces, round mirrors, textures, plugs and lighting, has been carefully considered to ensure a seamless blend of both form and function.
Kitchen
Axon
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Professional 2
Yixing Tao Museum / KKAA
Exterior View
Lobby
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Structure Model
Form Model Process
Communication with Structural Consultant
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Model Making process
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Under construction
Structure Model
Final Model
During my internship at Kengo Kuma office, I was responsible for designing the interior and facade of the Yixing Zisha Museum. This included creating physical models, form designing, renderings, structural model studying, communication with structural consultant
and the final submission book. I collaborated with the team to explore different design options and strategies, considering factors such as materiality, cultural significance, and sustainability. Facade Detail
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Professional 3
Haikou Experimental School / TAO
During my internship at TAO, I was responsible for designing the main center part of Haikou Huandao High School, which involved communicating with various consultants to design the space, material, MEP, and lighting. I also worked on rendering, designed the gate of the school, drew up plans, and contributed
to the final submission book. My role allowed me to gain experience in collaborating with different stakeholders, taking design decisions based on technical considerations, and managing multiple tasks to achieve a comprehensive design outcome.
AutoCAD plan drawings of the main center
4th floor plan
1:500 physical model by TAO
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Longitudinal Section
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LG1 Plan of main center
Photo the transition space
1st Floor Plan of the main center
Render The main center
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Professional 4
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Photography 1: Beijing Shougang Park
Photography 2: Harbin Opera House
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Professional 5
Branding Projects in ZBCN Design office
Jiahao Li B.Arch at Pratt Institute Architectural Designer / Street Photographer / Dancer / Guitar Player / Cyclist
Brand Design TruthTruth (Perfume)
Brand Design WAVE (Glasses)
Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, NY Brand, packaging Design Plant Talk (Coconut)
+1 347-318-7818 jlix24@pratt.edu
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